Wallet or handbag accessory with interior detachable billfold

ABSTRACT

The combination includes a wallet having a hidden interior surface when closed, the wallet including a plurality of slot openings and pockets. The combination also includes a detachable billfold, adapted to lay flat against the interior surface of the wallet, but foldable upon being detached. An attachment mechanism includes first snap elements at the respective corners of the billfold and mating second snap elements on the interior surface of the wallet.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to an integrated wallet/handbag accessory and billfold combination, and more specifically concerns such a combination with a billfold which is detachable from the accessory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Often, billfolds are carried separately from wallets or similar accessories like handbags or purses. Wallets for instance are typically arranged with several pockets for currency, a checkbook and other items, as well as a plurality of slot openings for credit cards and other identification or reward cards. Wallets can be bulky and sometimes can be difficult to access for particular items therein. Billfolds typically are smaller, usually quite slim, and have openings for a driver's license, a few credit cards and a currency pocket. Billfolds are convenient to carry alone or in a small purse. The use of a wallet and a billfold as separate items for instance requires a third article, such as a handbag or purse, to carry them. This can be inconvenient and adds to the overall accessory expense. Further, the billfold and/or the wallet can become difficult to locate when needed. If the wallet and the billfold are carried loosely together, the two articles can separate, with the risk of loss of the billfold.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is an accessory combination, comprising: a wallet or handbag which includes an interior surface which is hidden when the wallet or handbag is closed, the wallet or handbag further including pockets or openings adapted to hold accessory items; a billfold adapted to lay flat against an interior surface of the wallet or handbag, and further adapted to be folded up upon itself, the billfold having pockets for holding billfold items; and an attachment system comprising first elements at the respective corners of the billfold and mating second elements on the interior surface of the wallet or handbag, spaced so that the billfold lays flat against the interior surface of the wallet or handbag and is readily detachable and attachable thereto, wherein the billfold is accessible when attached to the wallet or handbag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a wallet and a detachable billfold.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a three-part (two-fold) wallet open with the billfold attached.

FIG. 3 shows the partially closed wallet of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a fully closed wallet of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows another wallet and billfold with a zipper, the wallet being partially open.

FIG. 6 shows the wallet of FIG. 6 in a closed, i.e. zipped position.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view looking into the interior of a handbag with a billfold attached.

FIG. 8 shows the handbag in a closed (zipped) position.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, which is directed toward a combination of a wallet and a billfold which is detachably secured to an interior surface of the wallet. The combination, generally referred to at 10, includes a wallet 12 and a detachable billfold 14. In this case, the word “wallet” refers to a folding holding member, with pockets for currency and various credit or other cards, while “billfold” refers to a smaller, relatively slim member for holding a limited number of elements, including a driver's license, a few credit cards and typically a single pocket for currency.

The wallet 12 in the first embodiment is generally rectangular in its closed position and is closed by two snap assemblies 15, 16 (mating male and female) at the corners of the respective ends of the wallet. Other closing assemblies, including magnetic elements, can be used. The wallet may be made of various materials, with leather being presently preferred, and in its closed position is approximately 8 inches long by 5.5 inches wide, although these dimensions can vary. In the present embodiment, the wallet 12 includes two fold lines 18 and 20 so that the wallet is in fact a two-part member. The wallet includes a plurality of slots 22 for holding credit cards and other identity/reward cards, and also includes a number of interior pockets for holding various items. Typically, the wallet includes one pocket 25 which is sized and adapted to hold currency and/or a checkbook. Other pockets may hold change or other items. In general, the wallet is sewn to define the various pockets and portions of the wallet. In the present case, folding of the wallet is facilitated by a narrow bridge-like member 26 at fold line 18 which connects portions 28 and 30 of the wallet. Portion 30 is first folded onto portion 28, with the remaining portion 32 folding back upon portion 30, and then connected and held closed by snap assemblies 15, 16 or other assemblies.

The billfold 14 is detachably secured to the interior surface 27 of portion 28 by four snap assemblies 36, 37, 38 and 39 at the respective corners thereof. In one embodiment, the snap assemblies can be all male or female on the corners of the billfold, while the interior surface of the wallet has the opposite snap configuration. Alternatively, two snaps on the billfold can be male while the other two (at the opposing longitudinal end) can be female, with the snaps on the wallet being opposite. Other releasably attachable elements, such as magnetic, could also be used. In one snap arrangement, snaps on the billfold can be arranged to attach the billfold to the wallet and also used to hold the billfold in a folded condition.

Billfold 14 includes a transparent plastic pocket 42 adapted to hold a driver's license and a few slot openings 44 to hold a small number of credit cards, as well as a pocket 46, which runs the length of the billfold, for currency and the like. When attached, the billfold and the wallet form a secure integrated unit, while the billfold, which is easily detached, can function as a separate, thin member for carrying a small number of items when detached. When not in use, the billfold can be conveniently attached to the wallet, and is a functioning part of the wallet, being readily accessible and usable by the user when the wallet is open.

The billfold also includes an elastic strap 48, positioned across the rear side of the billfold when it is attached, its ends sewn into opposing longitudinal edges 50, 52 of the billfold, to hold the billfold in a folded condition, by moving the strap around the nearby end 51 of the billfold and over the folded-back half. The billfold 14 also can be made of various materials, with leather being presently preferred, and is sewn to define the pockets and other structural features of the billfold. The billfold is sized to extend substantially the full length and width of the interior surface 27 of wallet portion 12.

In use, the wallet and the billfold can be carried together as a single, integrated unit with the billfold being firmly attached to the interior of the wallet. At desired times, the wallet can be opened to expose the billfold, the billfold removed and then the billfold carried alone as a small unit, or in a small purse. The billfold, as indicated above, is accessible and functional when it is attached in the wallet as well.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show another embodiment of a wallet-billfold combination, which includes a wallet 60, which is made from leather or other selected material. The wallet includes a number of openings 62 for credit cards and the like as well as a number of pockets for holding various elements, including a currency pocket 63 which is adapted to hold currency in a flat condition or a checkbook and hence extends the length of the wallet. Typically, the wallet is approximately 8.5 inches long by 4.5 inches wide, although these dimensions can also vary in particular circumstances.

The wallet 60 in this embodiment includes a single fold line 64, thus defining the wallet to have two parts 66 and 68. The wallet includes a zipper 72 which extends around the periphery of the two parts, as shown. FIG. 5 shows the wallet in its unzipped or open configuration, with the billfold 68 exploded away from the wallet, but attachable to one interior surface of one of the sections. The attachment elements are snap assemblies 69, 70, 71 and 72, like those for the first embodiment at the four corners of the billfold, comprising male and female joining members on the wallet. FIG. 6 shows the wallet in its closed, zipped condition. The wallet and billfold are used similarly to that of the first embodiment, both when the billfold is attached to the wallet and when it is separate from the wallet. The billfold also includes a strap (not shown) similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the combination of a handbag or purse 73 with a detachable billfold 76. The handbag is closed by a zipper 75 and typically will include a large central pocket 74 adapted to hold a number of items, but may also include individual pockets which may be closed by various means, including zippers, snaps or Velcro® material. The handbag/purse may also include slot openings 78 for credit cards. The handbag may have numerous configurations, arrangements and sizes. The billfold, which is similar to the billfolds of the first and second embodiments, is detachable by means of snaps or similar means to an interior surface 80 of the handbag. The use of the billfold of FIGS. 7 and 8 is similar to that for the other embodiments.

Other embodiments include other accessory items such as for a personal tablet-size computer case or a smart phone case. In each case, an interior surface of the item will include four snaps or similar elements, to which the billfold is releasably attached.

The concept of the present invention is the combination of a wallet, which may take various configurations, or a handbag/purse with a thin billfold which is detachable and attachable from an interior surface of the wallet, handbag/purse. The attachment mechanism can be snaps at the four corner locations for best results, although other attachment elements can be used.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined by the claims which follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An accessory combination, comprising: a wallet or handbag which includes an interior surface which is hidden when the wallet or handbag is closed, the wallet or handbag further including pockets or openings adapted to hold accessory items; a billfold adapted to lay flat against an interior surface of the wallet or handbag, and further adapted to be folded up upon itself, the billfold having pockets for holding billfold items; and an attachment system comprising first elements at the respective corners of the billfold and mating second elements on the interior surface of the wallet or handbag, spaced so that the billfold lays flat against the interior surface of the wallet or handbag and is readily detachable and attachable thereto, wherein the billfold is accessible when attached to the wallet or handbag.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the billfold when flat is approximately the same size as the interior surface of the accessory.
 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the attachment system comprises snap assemblies.
 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the snap assemblies are all male on one half of the billfold and accessory and all female on the other half of the billfold and accessory.
 5. The combination of claim 3, wherein the snap assemblies are male on one-half of the billfold and female on the other half, with opposing snap elements on the accessory.
 6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the wallet has a single fold with two interior surfaces, the wallet being closed with a zipper.
 7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the wallet has two spaced folds, defining a three-part wallet foldable upon itself.
 8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the handbag or purse includes a closing zipper.
 9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the wallet or handbag and the billfold are made from leather.
 10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the billfold includes an elastic strap for holding the billfold in a folded condition.
 11. The combination of claim 1, wherein the billfold includes a transparent pocket for receiving a driver's license and a currency pocket for holding currency lengthwise.
 12. The combination of claim 1, wherein the wallet includes a currency pocket for holding currency lengthwise, and a plurality of slot openings for holding credit cards.
 13. The combination of claim 1, wherein the billfold is accessible when the billfold is attached to the accessory and the accessory is open. 